Dag Hammarskjöld Quotes

What makes loneliness an anguish
Is not that I have no one to share my burden,
But this:

It is easy to be nice, even to an enemy - from lack of character

Every deed and every relationship is surrounded by an atmosphere of silence. Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.

Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.

The dizziness in the face of les espaces infinis — only overcome if we dare to gaze into them without any protection. And accept them as the reality before which we must justify our existence. For this is the truth we must reach to live, that everything is and we just in it.

The Strait Road — to live for others in order to save one's soul. The Broad — to live for others in order to save one's self-esteem.

Our work for peace must begin within the private world of each one of us. To build for man a world without fear, we must be without fear. To build a world of justice, we must be just. And how can we fight for liberty if we are not free in our own minds? How can we ask others to sacrifice if we are not ready to do so?... Only in true surrender to the interest of all can we reach that strength and independence, that unity of purpose, that equity of judgment which are necessary if we are to measure up to our duty to the future, as men of a generation to whom the chance was given to build in time a world of peace.

The myths have always condemned those who "looked back." Condemned them, whatever the paradise may have been which they were leaving. Hence this shadow over each departure from your decision

Didst thou give me this inescapable loneliness so that it would be easier for me to give thee all?

A heart pulsating in harmony with the circulation of sap and the flow of rivers? A body with the rhythms of the earth in its movements? No. Instead: a mind, shut off from the oxygen of alert senses, that has wasted itself on 'treasons, stratagems and spoils' — of importance only within four walls. A tame animal — in whom the strength of the species has outspent itself, to no purpose.

Meine Mittelmäßigkeit erkennen, nicht in geißelnder Selbstverachtung, nicht im Bekennerhochmut, sondern als Gefahr für die Integrität des Handels, wenn ich sie aus den Augen lasse.

He who has surrendered himself to it knows that the Way ends on the Cross — even when it is leading him through the jubilation of Gennesaret or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Do not seek death. Death will find you. But seek the road which makes death a fulfillment.

Mitte kunagi lubada edul varjata enda tühisust, panusel enda tähtsusetust, tööelul oma kõledust, et säiliks edasipürgimise ajend - see hingevalu, mis meid tagant kihutab. Ära vaata tagasi. Ära unista tulevikust: ta ei tagasta sulle möödanikku ega rahulda teisi õnneunelmaid. Sinu kohustus ja su tasu - su saatus - on SIIN ja PRAEGU.

It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.

It is not we who seek the Way, but the Way which seeks us. That is why you are faithful to it, even while you stand waiting, so long as you are prepared, and act the moment you are confronted by its demands.